Study Report
Reference
| Citation | Barbe, 2005 PubMed |
| Full Info | Barbe, R.P., Williamson, D.E., Bridge, J.A., Birmaher, B., Dahl, R.E., Axelson, D.A. and Ryan, N.D. (2005) Clinical differences between suicidal and nonsuicidal depressed children and adolescents. J Clin Psychiatry, 66, 492-498.
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Study
| Hypothesis or Background |
To examine the clinical symptoms and comorbid psychiatric disorders of depressed children and adolescents with and without clinically significant suicidal ideation.
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| Sample Information | Children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years with current DSM-III-R major depressive disorder (MDD) (N = 135) were recruited between January 1987 and April 2002. |
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| Method Detail | Current MDD symptoms and lifetime comorbid psychiatric disorders were assessed using either a combination of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children-Epidemiologic and -Present Episode versions or the -Present Lifetime version. Thirty-two percent (N = 43) of the depressed subjects were classified as suicidal (at least suicidal ideation with a plan). |
| Method Keywords | psychometric method |
| Result | Depressed suicidal youth presented with a more severe episode (p = .001) and a poorer functional status (p = .019), were more hopeless (p = .001), and presented more frequently with insomnia (p = .011). There was an interaction between suicide x sex x pubertal status for severity of MDD (p = .013), the presence of hopelessness (p < .001), poor functional status (p = .023), and comorbidity with a lifetime history of any disruptive behavior (p = .019). Among pre-pubertal depressed males, suicidal boys had significantly increased severity of MDD (p = .025) and poorer functional status (p = .044) than non-suicidal boys. Among postpubertal depressed females, suicidal girls were more frequently hopeless (p = .008) and presented an increased severity of MDD (p = .022) and more frequent lifetime history of any disruptive behavior (p = .03) when compared with nonsuicidal girls. |
| Conclusions | There appears to be a sex difference for some clinical features, particularly hopelessness, among depressed suicidal children and adolescents. Whether hopelessness is a sex-specific characteristic of depressed suicidal children and adolescents requires further study. |
Relationships reported by
Barbe, 2005
| Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
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Suicide (suicide intent)
|
symptoms |
Sleep disturbances (insomnia) |
symptoms |
P-value = .011 |
Depressed suicidal youth presented more frequently with insomnia (p = .011). |
Positive
|
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Suicide (suicide intent)
|
symptoms |
Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt (hopelessness) |
symptoms |
P-value = .001 |
Depressed suicidal youth were more hopeless (p = .001). Among postpubertal depressed females, suicidal girls were more frequently hopeless (p = .008). |
Positive
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